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United States · Official source
2,180 records where Rep. Madigan, Edward R. [R-IL-15] is listed as a sponsor, author, or other actor. Search with topics and years
United States · United States Congress · 5 June 1980
Prohibits the Secretary of Agriculture from charging in excess of nine percent on price support loans under the Agricultural Act of 1949 on the 1979 and 1980 crops.
United States · United States Congress · 4 June 1980
Authorizes the President to present a gold-plated medal, on behalf of the Congress, to those athletes selected through the Olympic trial process to be members of the United States Summer Olympic Team of 1980. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to cause to be stricken 650 such medals with suitable emblems. Declares that such medals are national medals and that funds to carry out this Act shall be made available under the Amateur Sports Act of 1978.
United States · United States Congress · 4 June 1980
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to impose on the sale by the manufacturer, producer, or importer of each light gauge steel drum a tax equal to 20 percent of the price for which each drum is sold.
United States · United States Congress · 29 May 1980
Designates March 19, 1981, as "National Agriculture Day."
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 1980
National Defense Compensation Act of 1980 - Increases the pay and allowances, and certain special and incentive pays, of members of the uniformed services for pay periods beginning after December 31, 1981, 1982, and 1983. Directs the President, in any year in which an alternative pay plan is transmitted to the Congress, to include in such plan a statement specifying the adjustments which would have been made but for such alternative plan.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 1980
Expresses the opposition of Congress to the imposition of any withholding tax on interest-bearing bank accounts and on dividend income.
United States · United States Congress · 13 May 1980
Amends the Controlled Substances Act to permit specified practitioners to register to dispense heroin for an inpatient who has been diagnosed as being terminally ill with cancer.
United States · United States Congress · 8 May 1980
National Tourism Policy Act - Title I: National Tourism Policy - Declares that the purpose of this title is to establish a cooperative effort between the Federal Government, States, regions, and local governments and other concerned public and private organizations to implement a national tourism policy. Title II: National Tourism Policy Council - Establishes the National Tourism Policy Council as an independent entity within the executive branch to be the principal coordinating body for policies, programs, and issues relating to tourism, recreation, or national heritage conservation involving Federal departments, agencies, or other entities. Requires the Council to establish such policy committees as it considers necessary and appropriate which shall be designed to: (1) monitor a specific area of Federal government activity; and (2) review and evaluate the relation of the policies and activities of the Federal government in that specific area to tourism, recreation, and national heritage conservation in the United States. Directs each policy committee to review and comment on Federal agency program and planning documents that will have substantial effect on tourism, recreation, and national heritage conservation and that are appropriate to such committee's functional responsibilities and agency representation. Directs the National Tourism Policy Council to submit annual reports to the President for transmittal to the Congress regarding: (1) the activities of the Council and its policy committees; (2) the results of Council efforts to coordinate the policies and programs of member agencies that have a significant effect on tourism, recreation, and national heritage conservation, and to resolve interagency conflicts; (3) an analysis of problems referred to the Council along with a detailed statement of actions taken or anticipated to be taken to resolve such problems; and (4) such recommendations as the Council deems appropriate. Title III - United States Tourism Planning and Implementing Board - Establishes, as an independent entity in the executive branch, a United States Tourism Planning and Implementing Board to develop a comprehensive and detailed marketing and implementation plan to stimulate and promote tourism to the United States by residents of foreign countries. Requires the Board, within one year after the date of enactment of this Act, to submit such plan to Congress and specified Congressional committees. Title IV: Amendments to the International Travel Act - Amends the International Travel Act of 1961 to direct the United States Travel Service, headed by an Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Tourism, to report directly to the Under Secretary for International Trade as well as the Secretary of Commerce. Extends the authorization of appropriations to carry out the purposes of such Act. Authorizes the Secretary of Commerce to provide financial assistance to a region of not less than two States or portions of two States to assist in the implementation of a regional tourism promotional and marketing program. Declares that any such program shall serve as a demonstration project for future program development for regional tourism promotion. Extends until September 30, 1981, the time limit for the reduction in the number of employees of the United States Travel Service.
United States · United States Congress · 7 May 1980
Directs specified congressional leaders to designate delegates to participate in an interparliamentary meeting with delegates from the Iranian Parliament to discuss matters of mutual concern, including the release of the hostages in Iran.
United States · United States Congress · 1 May 1980
Rail Act of 1980 - Declares that the goals of this Act are: (1) to assist in rehabilitating the Nation's rail system to meet the demands of interstate commerce and national defense; (2) to reform Federal regulatory policy so as to preserve a safe and efficient rail system; (3) to assist the rail system to remain viable in the private sector of the economy; (4) to provide a regulatory process that balances the needs of carriers, shippers, and the public; and (5) to assist in the rehabilitation and financing of the rail system. Title I: Rail Transportation Policy - Amends the Interstate Commerce Act to set forth the policy of the United States in regulating the railroad industry, including: (1) establishment of reasonable rates through competition and demand for services; (2) minimum use of Federal regulatory control; (3) promotion of a safe and efficient rail transportation system by allowing rail carriers to earn an adequate rate of return; and (4) to provide rate regulation where there is an absence of effective competition. Title II: Railroad Rates, Profits, and Reinvestment - Authorizes a rail carrier providing transportation subject to the jurisdiction of the Interstate Commerce Commission to establish reasonable rates for transportation or other services. Directs that a shipper who challenges such rate shall have the burden of proving that such rate is unreasonable or that there is no effective competition. Removes such rail rates from the standards of the Interstate Commerce Act. Requires the Commission, within 90 days after the commencement of a rate challenge, to determine whether effective competition exists with respect to the transportation to which the rate applies. Grants jurisdiction to the Commission to determine whether such rate is reasonable if there is no effective competition. Directs the Commission to annually determine the cost recovery percentage of the transportation of all traffic received by rail carrier for transportation. Reduces from seven to four months the time allotted to the Commission to complete a proceeding and make a final decision concerning proposals for a rate, classification, rule, or practice. Prohibits the Commission from suspending such proposals during such proceeding except under specified circumstances. Alters the time period during which the Commission shall require a rail carrier to account for all amounts received under such proposed rate increase. Authorizes one or more rail carriers to enter into a contract with one or more purchasers of rail services to provide specified services under specified rates and conditions. Directs such contract to be filed with the Commission. Sets forth procedures by which: (1) the Commission shall review and approve such contract; and (2) a complaint may be filed by a shipper or other complainant. Directs the Commission to permit the establishment of tariffs under which rates may be raised or lowered, between established maximum and minimum levels, in response to expected or actual fluctuations in demand for rail service. Repeals provisions of such Act concerning incentives for capital investment by rail carriers. Permits a rail carrier to establish, by written declaration or agreement, limited liability rates for the transportation of property. Permits such declaration or agreement to provide for specified amounts to be deducted from any claim against the carrier. Directs that differences between rates, classifications, rules, and practices of rail carriers providing transportation subject to the jurisdiction of the Commission do not constitute a violation of this Act if such differences result from different services provided by rail carriers. Exempts specified surcharges and rates from the above provision. Directs the Commission to exempt a person, class of persons, or a transaction or service related to rail carrier transportation under specified circumstances. Sets forth procedures for the establishment and revocation of such exemptions. Prohibits the Commission from authorizing intermodal ownership that is otherwise prohibited by this Act. Grants the Commission exclusive and unrestricted authority to prescribe an intrastate rate for transportation provided by a rail carrier subject to the jurisdiction of the Commission. Prohibits a rail carrier, until December 31, 1981, from increasing any rate by more than ten percent, in addition to inflation, in any year. Exempts certain surcharges and rates from such prohibition. Authorizes the Commission, on a semiannual basis beginning in 1983, to prescribe a percentage rate increase or index for rail carriers in order to compensate for inflationary cost increases. Sets forth provisions by which each rail carrier shall notify the Commission of any rate from which such carrier intends to be excluded. Authorizes the Secretary of Transportation, on the basis of inspections of the track, physical facilities, and operations of a rail carrier, to notify the Commission that such carrier: (1) does not meet the safety requirements of applicable Federal statutes; and (2) is not maintained and operated in a manner which protects the health and safety of the public or of railroad employees. Authorizes the Commission to review the financial arrangements of such carrier and prohibit further financial transactions until the safety deficiencies of such carrier have been remedied. Directs the Commission to submit an annual report to Congress setting forth its findings concerning subsidiary rail carriers involved in specified financial transactions with their parent companies. Title III: Railroad Inter-Carrier Practices - Authorizes a rail carrier, for three years from the date of enactment of this Act, to apply to a joint rate a surcharge increasing or decreasing a through route charge. Sets forth a division of revenues for joint fares among the carriers involved. Sets forth other remedies available to carriers concerning the application of such surcharge. Requires only the carrier proposing a surcharge to defend such surcharge. Authorizes a carrier to publish surcharges applicable to traffic originating or terminating upon any of its lines of railroad under specified conditions. Sets forth criteria for the unilateral cancellation of a joint rate by a carrier. Directs a carrier applying such surcharge or canceling such joint rate to file a tariff with the Commission. Directs the Commission, upon request of participating rail carriers, to make available the variable costs of the carrier applying such surcharge or cancellation. Sets forth criteria for determining such variable costs. Directs the Commission, by January 1, 1984, to promulgate rules necessary to allow rail carriers to establish rates in the manner required by this Act. Directs the Commission, by January 1, 1983, if it is unable to promulgate such rules, to report to Congress its recommendations for appropriate legislative or administrative action. Prohibits, generally, an organization established or continued under a rate agreement (a "rate bureau") from permitting a carrier: (1) to discuss rates; (2) to participate in agreements related to rates; or (3) to vote on rates except with a carrier which forms part of a particular single route. Requires that, in a proceeding in which it is alleged that a carrier was a party to an agreement, conspiracy, or combination in violation of Federal or State law, the party making such allegation shall have the burden of proving the same by clear and convincing evidence. Directs the rate bureau involved to keep transcripts or sound recordings of all meetings. Requires that records of votes be made. Directs that such records and transcripts or recordings be submitted to the Commission and made available to other Federal agencies as needed. Exempts from the antitrust laws, agreements between rail carriers which solely provide for the compilation, publication, and distribution of rates in effect or which are to become effective. Directs the Commission to require rail carrier members of a rate bureau to provide certain employees of such bureau with fair employment arrangements no less protective of the interests of such employees than those established by the Interstate Commerce Act. Prohibits a carrier from charging or receiving more compensation for the transportation of property or passengers: (1) for a shorter distance than for a longer distance over the same line in the same direction; or (2) under a through rate than under the total of the intermediate rates it may charge, when the Commission determines that there is actual or potential competition between a rail and water service or route and anticompetitive behavior must be averted. Prohibits a rail carrier from blocking the construction or extension of a rail line by another carrier by refusing to permit that carrier to cross its property if: (1) the construction does not unreasonably interfere with the operation of the crossed line; (2) the operation does not materially interfere with the operation of the crossed line; and (3) the owner of the crossing line compensates the owner of the crossed line. Authorizes either party to a disputed matter to submit such matter to the Commission for determination. Authorizes the Commission to require rail carriers to enter into reciprocal switching agreements where it finds such agreements to be practicable and in the public interest. Directs the Commission to establish conditions and compensation applicable to such agreements if the carriers are unable to agree on same. Repeals the provision granting payments for the emergency use of freight cars. Directs the Commission to increase the rate of compensation for the use of such cars so as to attract capital investment in them. Authorizes a rail carrier or other entity to file with the Commission a request for negotiation as regards: (1) compensation for use by any rail carrier of rolling stock owned by any entity other than a carrier; or (2) the setting of demurrage rates. Sets forth procedures for such negotiations. Exempts such negotiations from the antitrust laws under specified conditions. Limits to 30 days the time during which the Commission is authorized to take action due to an emergency (equipment shortage, traffic congestion, etc.) in order to promote service in the interest of the public and of commerce. Authorizes the Commission to approve a consolidation, merger, or acquisition of control involving a rail carrier on application of the person seeking such action. Sets forth procedures and conditions of approval for such transactions. Exempts such transactions from the National Environmental Policy Act and the Energy Policy Conservation Act. Directs that, in authorizing any abandonment of a railroad line, a court shall require the rail carrier involved to provide employee protection at least as protective as that established under the Act. Title IV: Railroad Cost Determinations - Authorizes the Commission to prescribe a uniform accounting system for classes of carriers providing, and brokers for, transportation subject to the jurisdiction of the Commission. Establishes a Railroad Accounting Standards Board which shall be within and responsible to the legislative branch of the Federal Government. Sets forth: (1) the terms of office; (2) membership; (3) duties; and (4) expiration date of such Board. Directs the Commission to promulgate rules to enforce cost accounting standards established by the Board. Sets forth procedures for Commission certification of accounting systems used by rail carriers. Directs the Board to submit reports to Congress within two years of the date of enactment of this Act. Specifies penalties for violations of such cost accounting standards. Title V: Railroad Modernization and Restructuring Assistance - Directs the Secretary of Transportation to provide transitional financial assistance which facilitates: (1) restructuring of railroad facilities; (2) improved asset and manpower utilization; and (3) self-supporting shipper-operated or State-operated rail lines. Directs the Secretary annually to report to Congress listing the specific Federal assistance provided the railroad industry during that fiscal year. Directs the Commission, under specified circumstances, to require an abandoning carrier to sell its property at net liquidation value, as established by the Commission. Sets forth criteria under which such sale may occur. Amends the Railroad Revitalization and Regulatory Reform Act of 1976 to authorize the Secretary to provide financial assistance to any railroad or subsidiary of a railroad to pay the cost of restructuring its facilities, including related labor protection costs, and acquiring securities pursuant to a restructuring. Directs the Secretary to make such assistance available through repayable credits constituting a debt or equity financing. Directs the Secretary to provide such assistance by purchasing either a fixed debt obligation issued by a railroad or senior preferred stock. Prescribes terms and conditions for the purchase of such obligation or stock. Sets forth options to be used by the Secretary in the case of default. Directs a railroad or subsidiary which applies for such assistance to submit a restructuring plan to the Secretary. Directs the Secretary to establish regulations governing the content of such plan. Authorizes the appropriation, for fiscal years 1980 through 1984, of such sums as are necessary, not to exceed $1,475,000,000, to provide such assistance. Directs that no less than five percent of such sum shall be available for the purchase or rehabilitation of feeder lines. Extends to September 30, 1982, the authority for redeemable preference share financing. Makes conforming and technical amendments to the Railroad Revitalization and Regulatory Reform Act of 1976. Title VI: ConRail Title V Labor Protection - Amends the Regional Rail Reorganization Act of 1973 to grant, to protected employees, a monthly displacement allowance for any calendar month within the period identified in such Act in which the employee is deprived of employment or is adversely affected with respect to compensation. Sets forth provisions for payment of such allowance. Specifies the duration of the monthly displacement allowance. Sets forth provisions for training and transfer of employees. Permits ConRail to offer a vacant position to not more than four protected non-contract employees. Directs ConRail to give such position to the protected employee accepting transfer whom ConRail considers to be best qualified for the particular position involved. Directs ConRail, the United States Railway Association, replacement operators, and acquiring railroads, as the case may be, to pay the allowances, expenses, and costs provided protected employees under such Act. Directs the Railroad Retirement Board to reimburse ConRail, the Association, replacement operators, and acquiring railroads for such allowances, expenses, and costs up to an aggregate sum of $485,000,000. Limits the aggregate amount of such reimbursement to $180,000,000. Authorizes an annual appropriation of up to $485,000,000. Directs ConRail, the Association, replacement operators, and acquiring railroads to pay benefits otherwise reimbursable upon the exhaustion of such authorization. Authorizes appropriations for administrative expenses incurred by the Railroad Retirement Board and the Association. Directs the Association to: (1) audit the payment of benefits under such Act; and (2) report annually to Congress and the President. Sets forth technical amendments to the Regional Rail Reorganization Act of 1973. Title VII: Supplemental Transactions - Directs the Secretary to develop proposals, on an as needed basis, for further restructuring of rail properties through transactions supplemental to the final system plan. Sets forth the criteria to be used in developing such proposal. Directs the Association to analyze and comment to the Secretary on such proposal. Directs the Commission: (1) to comment to the Secretary on such proposal; (2) to afford interested parties the opportunity to comment; and (3) to approve such proposal within 120 days after receipt or it shall be deemed to have been approved. Directs the Secretary to determine whether to petition the Special Court for the approval of the proposal. Sets forth the action to be taken by such Court on such proposal. Redefines the term "fair and equitable" as used in this Act. Title VIII: Miscellaneous Provisions - Directs that this Act shall take effect on October 1, 1980, except as otherwise provided. Exempts applications for consolidation, merger, or acquisition of control involving a rail carrier which are filed with the Commission before January 1, 1981, from provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 30 April 1980
Extends the commendation of the Congress to the military personnel who took part in the attempt to rescue the hostages in Iran and recommends that the President consider awarding appropriate military decorations to such personnel. Extends congressional condolences to the families of the men who died during the attempted rescue. Recommends that Iranian assets frozen in the United States be made available to certain American claimants for damages against Iran.
United States · United States Congress · 29 April 1980
Amends the Safe Drinking Water Act to replace specified references to "exemptions" with references to "interim variances." Permits State-prescribed public water system schedules to require compliance with less stringent contaminant levels or treatment techniques during a period of interim variance. Mandates that such schedules require final compliance with each contaminant level and treatment technique requirement for which such interim variance was granted by a specified date. Sets such date at: (1) the later of January 1, 1988, or seven years after such requirement takes effect; or (2) in cases where the public water system has entered into an enforceable agreement to become part of a regional public water system, the later of January 1, 1992, or nine years after such requirement takes effect. Permits a State with primary enforcement responsibility to determine that the best technology, treatment techniques, or other means need not be constructed and in place before a variance may be granted.
United States · United States Congress · 24 April 1980
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow estates required to file estate tax returns before July 13, 1978, to elect the valuation of certain farm and other real property within 90 days after the later of: (1) the date of the enactment of this Act; or (2) the earliest date on which all necessary relevant regulations become final. Defines a "necessary regulation" as a regulation necessary in order for the executor to make a reasoned evaluation of whether or not to make such an election. Applies the provisions of this Act to estates of decedents dying after December 31, 1976.
United States · United States Congress · 23 April 1980
Requires loans and purchases of the 1979 crop of soybeans to be made by the Secretary of Agriculture without regard to compliance with the reduction of acreage requirements of the Food and Agriculture Act of 1977 and the set-aside requirements of the Agricultural Act of 1949.
United States · United States Congress · 22 April 1980
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exempt a certain portion of royalty owner oil production from the windfall profit tax. Limits the amount so exempted per quarter to ten barrels per day. Requires proportionate allocation of any production in excess of ten barrels per day between tier 1 oil, tier 2, and tier 3 oil, and within any tier on the basis of removal prices. Requires allocation of the ten barrel amount among royalty owners who are members of the same related group.
United States · United States Congress · 22 April 1980
Rail Act of 1980 - Declares that the goals of this Act are: (1) to assist in rehabilitating the Nation's rail system to meet the demands of interstate commerce and national defense; (2) to reform Federal regulatory policy so as to preserve a safe and efficient rail system; (3) to assist the rail system to remain viable in the private sector of the economy; (4) to provide a regulatory process that balances the needs of carriers, shippers, and the public; and (5) to assist in the rehabilitation and financing of the rail system. Title I: Rail Transportation Policy - Amends the Interstate Commerce Act to set forth the policy of the United States in regulating the railroad industry, including: (1) establishment of reasonable rates through competition and demand for services; (2) minimum use of Federal regulatory control; (3) promotion of a safe and efficient rail transportation system by allowing rail carriers to earn an adequate rate of return; and (4) to provide rate regulation where there is an absence of effective competition. Title II: Railroad Rates, Profits, and Reinvestment - Authorizes a rail carrier providing transportation subject to the jurisdiction of the Interstate Commerce Commission to establish reasonable rates for transportation or other services. Directs that a shipper who challenges such rate shall have the burden of proving that such rate is unreasonable or that there is no effective competition. Removes such rail rates from the standards of the Interstate Commerce Act. Requires the Commission, within 90 days after the commencement of a rate challenge, to determine whether effective competition exists with respect to the transportation to which the rate applies. Grants jurisdiction to the Commission to determine whether such rate is reasonable if there is no effective competition. Directs the Commission to annually determine the cost recovery percentage of the transportation of all traffic received by rail carrier for transportation. Reduces from seven to four months the time allotted to the Commission to complete a proceeding and make a final decision concerning proposals for a rate, classification, rule, or practice. Prohibits the Commission from suspending such proposals during such proceeding except under specified circumstances. Alters the time period during which the Commission shall require a rail carrier to account for all amounts received under such proposed rate increase. Authorizes one or more rail carriers to enter into a contract with one or more purchasers of rail services to provide specified services under specified rates and conditions. Directs such contract to be filed with the Commission. Sets forth procedures by which: (1) the Commission shall review and approve such contract; and (2) a complaint may be filed by a shipper or other complainant. Directs the Commission to permit the establishment of tariffs under which rates may be raised or lowered, between established maximum and minimum levels, in response to expected or actual fluctuations in demand for rail service. Repeals provisions of such Act concerning incentives for capital investment by rail carriers. Permits a rail carrier to establish, by written declaration or agreement, limited liability rates for the transportation of property. Permits such declaration or agreement to provide for specified amounts to be deducted from any claim against the carrier. Directs that differences between rates, classifications, rules, and practices of rail carriers providing transportation subject to the jurisdiction of the Commission do not constitute a violation of this Act if such differences result from different services provided by rail carriers. Exempts specified surcharges and rates from the above provision. Directs the Commission to exempt a person, class of persons, or a transaction or service related to rail carrier transportation under specified circumstances. Sets forth procedures for the establishment and revocation of such exemptions. Grants the Commission exclusive and unrestricted authority to prescribe an intrastate rate for transportation provided by a rail carrier subject to the jurisdiction of the Commission. Prohibits a rail carrier, until December 31, 1981, from increasing any rate by more than ten percent, in addition to inflation, in any year. Exempts certain surcharges and rates from such prohibition. Authorizes the Commission, on a semiannual basis beginning in 1983, to prescribe a percentage rate increase or index for rail carriers in order to compensate for inflationary cost increases. Sets forth provisions by which each rail carrier shall notify the Commission of any rate from which such carrier intends to be excluded. Authorizes the Commission to review the financial arrangements of rail carriers and prohibit further financial transactions until the safety deficiencies of such carrier have been remedied. Authorizes the Secretary of Transportation, on the basis of inspections of the track, physical facilities, and operations of a rail carrier, to notify the Commission that such carrier: (1) does not meet the safety requirements of applicable Federal statutes; (2) is not maintained and operated in a manner which protects the health and safety of the public or of railroad employees; and (3) fails to supply limited deferred maintenance which impairs the ability of the carrier to provide safe and reliable service. Title III: Railroad Inter-Carrier Practices - Authorizes any participating rail carrier, effective January 1, 1981, to cancel any joint rate which applies a uniform rate to a destination area covering a geographical region with a radius of more than 100 miles. Authorizes a rail carrier, for three years from the date of enactment of this Act, to apply to a joint rate a surcharge increasing or decreasing a through route charge. Sets forth a division of revenues for joint fares among the carriers involved. Sets forth other remedies available to carriers concerning the application of such surcharge. Requires only the carrier proposing a surcharge to defend such surcharge. Authorizes a carrier to publish surcharges applicable to traffic originating or terminating upon any of its lines of railroad under specified conditions. Sets forth criteria for the unilateral cancellation of a joint rate by a carrier. Directs a carrier applying such surcharge or canceling such joint rate to file a tariff with the Commission. Directs the Commission, upon request of participating rail carriers, to make available the variable costs of the carrier applying such surcharge or cancellation. Sets forth criteria for determining such variable costs. Directs the Commission, by January 1, 1984, to promulgate rules necessary to allow rail carriers to establish rates in the manner required by this Act. Directs the Commission, by January 1, 1983, if it is unable to promulgate such rules, to report to Congress its recommendations for appropriate legislative or administrative action. Prohibits, generally, an organization established or continued under a rate agreement (a "rate bureau") from permitting a carrier: (1) to discuss rates; (2) to participate in agreements related to rates; or (3) to vote on rates except with a carrier which forms part of a particular single route. Requires that, in a proceeding in which it is alleged that a carrier was a party to an agreement, conspiracy, or combination in violation of Federal or State law, the party making such allegation shall have the burden of proving the same by clear and convincing evidence. Directs the rate bureau involved to keep transcripts or sound recordings of all meetings and to make records of votes. Directs that such records and transcripts or recordings be submitted to the Commission and made available to other Federal agencies as needed. Exempts from the antitrust laws agreements between rail carriers which solely provide for the compilation, publication, and distribution of rates in effect or to become effective. Directs the Commission to require rail carrier members of a rate bureau to provide certain employees of such bureau with fair employment arrangements no less protective of the interests of such employees than those established by the Interstate Commerce Act. Prohibits a rail carrier from blocking the construction or extension of a rail line by another carrier by refusing to permit that carrier to cross its property if: (1) the construction does not unreasonably interfere with the operation of the crossed line; (2) the operation does not materially interfere with the operation of the crossed line; and (3) the owner of the crossing line compensates the owner of the crossed line. Authorizes either party to a disputed matter to submit such matter to the Commission for determination. Authorizes the Commission to require rail carriers to enter into reciprocal switching agreements where it finds such agreements to be practicable and in the public interest. Directs the Commission to establish conditions and compensation applicable to such agreements if the carriers are unable to agree on same. Repeals the provision granting payments for the emergency use of freight cars. Directs the Commission to increase the rate of compensation for the use of such cars so as to attract capital investment in them. Authorizes a rail carrier or other entity to file with the Commission a request for negotiation as regards: (1) compensation for use by any rail carrier of rolling stock owned by any entity other than a carrier; or (2) the setting of demurrage rates. Sets forth procedures for such negotiations. Exempts such negotiations from the antitrust laws under specified conditions. Limits to 30 days the time during which the Commission is authorized to take action due to an emergency (equipment shortage, traffic congestion, etc.) in order to promote service in the interest of the public and of commerce. Authorizes the Commission to approve a consolidation, merger, or acquisition of control involving a rail carrier on application of the person seeking such action. Sets forth procedures and conditions of approval for such transactions. Exempts such transactions from the National Environmental Policy Act and the Energy Policy Conservation Act. Directs that, in authorizing any abandonment of a railroad line, a court shall require the rail carrier involved to provide employee protection at least as protective as that established under such Act. Title IV: Railroad Cost Determinations - Authorizes the Commission to prescribe a uniform accounting system for classes of carriers providing, and brokers for, transportation subject to the jurisdiction of the Commission. Establishes a Railroad Accounting Standards Board which shall be within and responsible to the legislative branch of the Federal Government. Sets forth: (1) the terms of office; (2) membership; (3) duties; and (4) expiration date of such Board. Directs the Commission to promulgate rules to enforce cost accounting standards established by the Board. Sets forth procedures for Commission certification of accounting systems used by rail carriers. Directs the Board to submit reports to Congress within two years of the date of enactment of this Act. Specifies penalties for violation of such cost accounting standards. Title V: Railroad Modernization and Restructuring Assistance - Directs the Secretary of Transportation to provide transitional financial assistance which facilitates: (1) restructuring of railroad facilities; (2) improved asset and manpower utilization; and (3) self-supporting shipper-operated or State-operated rail lines. Directs the Secretary annually to report to Congress listing the specific Federal assistance provided the railroad industry during that fiscal year. Directs the Commission, under specified circumstances, to require an abandoning carrier to sell its property at net liquidation value, as established by the Commission. Sets forth criteria under which such sale may occur. Amends the Railroad Revitalization and Regulatory Reform Act of 1976 to authorize the Secretary to provide financial assistance to any class I railroad or subsidiary of a railroad to pay the cost of restructuring its facilities, including related labor protection costs, and acquiring securities pursuant to a restructuring. Directs the Secretary to provide such assistance by purchasing: (1) a fixed debt obligation issued by a railroad or, alternatively; (2) senior preferred stock. Prescribes terms and conditions for the purchase of such obligation or stock. Sets forth options to be used by the Secretary in the case of default. Directs a railroad or subsidiary which applies for such assistance to submit a restructuring plan to the Secretary. Directs the Secretary to establish regulations governing the content of such plan. Authorizes the Secretary to provide financial assistance to any class I railroad to cover up to 100 percent of such railroad's payments to any eligible employee or former employee to whom the railroad is obligated to make payments under a labor-management agreement which the Secretary determines will significantly improve manpower effectiveness. Directs that such financial assistance shall be by purchase of a fixed debt obligation, including a trustee certificate. Authorizes the appropriation, for fiscal years 1980 through 1984, of such sums as are necessary, not to exceed $1,475,000,000, to provide such assistance. Directs that: (1) no more than $275,000,000 shall be used for the payment of specified related labor protection costs; and (2) no less than five percent of such sum shall be available for the purchase or rehabilitation of feeder lines. Makes conforming and technical amendments to the Railroad Revitalization and Regulatory Reform Act of 1976. Title VI: ConRail Title V Labor Protection - Amends the Regional Rail Reorganization Act of 1973 to grant, to protected employees, a monthly displacement allowance for any calendar month within the period identified in such Act in which the employee is deprived of employment or is adversely affected with respect to compensation. Sets forth provisions for payment of such allowance. Specifies the duration of the monthly displacement allowance. Sets forth provisions for training and transfer of employees. Permits ConRail to offer a vacant position to not more than four protected non-contract employees. Directs ConRail to give such position to the protected employee accepting transfer whom ConRail considers to be best qualified for the particular position involved. Directs ConRail, the United States Railway Association, replacement operators, and acquiring railroads, as the case may be, to pay the allowances, expenses, and costs provided protected employees under such Act. Directs the Railroad Retirement Board to reimburse ConRail, the Association, replacement operators, and acquiring railroads for such allowances, expenses, and costs up to an aggregate sum of $485,000,000. Limits the aggregate amount of such reimbursement to $180,000,000. Authorizes an annual appropriation of up to $485,000,000. Directs ConRail, the Association, replacement operators, and acquiring railroads to pay benefits otherwise reimbursable upon the exhaustion of such authorization. Authorizes appropriations for administrative expenses incurred by the Railroad Retirement Board and the Association. Directs the Association to: (1) audit the payment of benefits under such Act, including the manner in which ConRail manages the overtime worked by maintenance-of-way employees; and (2) report annually to Congress and the President. Sets forth technical amendments to the Regional Rail Reorganization Act of 1973. Title VII: Supplemental Transactions - Directs the Secretary to develop proposals, on an as needed basis, for further restructuring of rail properties through transactions supplemental to the final system plan. Sets forth the criteria to be used in developing such proposal. Directs the Association to analyze and comment to the Secretary on such proposal. Directs the Commission: (1) to comment to the Secretary on such proposal; (2) to afford interested parties the opportunity to comment; and (3) to approve such proposal within 120 days after receipt or it shall be deemed to have been approved. Directs the Secretary to determine whether to petition the Special Court for the approval of the proposal. Sets forth the action to be taken by such Court on such proposal. Redefines the term "fair and equitable" as used in this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 17 April 1980
Hostage Relief Act of 1980 - Title I: Amendments to Title 5 of the United States Code - Amends title 5 of the United States Code to direct the Secretary of the Treasury to establish a savings fund to which the head of an agency may allot all or a portion of the pay and allowances of any employee who is in a missing status on or after November 4, 1979, as the result of a hostile action against the United States. Requires interest on such fund to be compounded quarterly at the average rate paid on United States Treasury bills with three-month maturities issued during the calendar quarter immediately preceding the first day of the applicable pay period. Directs the President to issue regulations to authorize agency heads to reimburse (up to $25,000 in any calendar year) any such employee, or dependent of such an employee, for necessary travel, rest and recuperation, private medical car, and other expenses related to the ordeal which are incurred on or after such date. Entitles the spouse of such an employee to reimbursement, for a certain time, for expenses incurred for tuition, books, fees, and subsistence while attending an educational or training institution. Extends to such employees the provisions of the Soldiers' and Sailors' Civil Relief Act of 1940, deferring civil actions that affect property rights of such persons until their missing status is ended. Applies the provisions of this Title to all citizens and resident aliens of the United States held hostage in Teheran at any time during November, 1979, and to their dependents and spouses, regardless of whether they are Federal employees. Title II: Amendments to the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from the gross income of such an employee compensation received for active service for any month during the period of his or her missing status, or during which such employee was hospitalized as a result of wounds, injury, disease, or partial or total physical or mental disablement incurred during a hostile action against the United States. Cancels the income taxes for any such employee who dies as a result of such hostile action, for the year in which death occurs and for all prior years during which the employee was in missing status. Authorizes spouses of such employees to file a joint income tax return. Defers the filing of an income tax return by such an employee until after 180 days following the termination of his or her missing status. Applies the provisions of this Title to all citizens and resident aliens of the United States held hostage in Teheran at any time during November, 1979, regardless of whether they are Federal employees. Applies the tax exclusion to non-employees only to the extent of the daily equivalent of the annual basic rate of pay in effect for level V of the Executive Schedule.
United States · United States Congress · 15 April 1980
Disapproves the President's imposition of import fees on petroleum and petroleum products pursuant to the Trade Expansion Act of 1962.
United States · United States Congress · 15 April 1980
Requests the President to issue a proclamation declaring the week of April 20, 1980, as "National Secretaries Week".
United States · United States Congress · 15 April 1980
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System should immediately take steps to reduce interest rates.
United States · United States Congress · 2 April 1980
Rail Passenger Service Improvement Act of 1980 - Amends the Rail Passenger Service Act to require the establishment of standards of ontime performance for National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak) trains which travel over the lines of other railroads. Sets forth penalties to be paid by the railroads which own such lines for failure to meet such standards. Defines "ontime performance" for the purposes of this Act. Directs the Secretary of Transportation to establish the most expeditious schedules possible for any route of which a portion is maintained or improved through the use of Federal financial assistance. Directs that the requirements of this Act be incorporated in an operating and compensation arrangement covering the operation of trains for Amtrak as established by the Interstate Commerce Commission under such Act. Declares that nothing contained in this Act shall preclude or supercede an agreement between Amtrak and a railroad for payment of specified incentives for ontime operation of Amtrak trains. Excludes from the provisions of this Act the operation of a train which is governed by specified contractual provisions. Directs the Federal Railway Administration (FRA) to determine, in prescribed terms and within specified time parameters, the condition and degree of deterioration of tracks over which scheduled Amtrak service is operated. Directs the FRA to order the owning railroad, at its own expense, to repair deteriorated track to the condition which existed on November 1, 1979, or to a specified higher condition. Sets forth civil penalties for failure to comply with such order. Directs the Secretary, under specified conditions, to order a railroad within 60 days to permit or provide requested operation of Amtrak trains over such railroad's lines on schedules based upon the fastest legally permissible operating speeds. Directs the Secretary, in establishing such scheduled running times, to consider the statutory goal that Amtrak shall implement schedules which will attain a systemwide average speed of at least 55 miles per hour. Prescribes that the compensation payable by Amtrak to such railroad shall be established pursuant to an agreement between Amtrak and such railroad, or, alternatively, by the Commission. Directs the conductor of every Amtrak train to identify and log the incidence and cause of each delay of more than five minutes in each trip of such trains. Allows authorized Amtrak representatives access to such logs. Sets forth criminal penalties for willful destruction or falsification of such logs. Directs the Secretary to revise or eliminate specified speed restrictions imposed by a State or a political subdivision thereof upon trains operating through or within such State. Sets forth guidelines under which the Secretary shall make such review. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to entitle railroads which make improvements to their rail lines and associated facilities for use by Amtrak to a ten percent tax credit. Prescribes methods by which such credit shall be calculated. Allows such railroads to carryback or carryover such credit for a specified period. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to promulgate regulations defining: (1) the rail lines and associated facilities; (2) the improvements; and (3) the expenditures which qualify for such credit.
United States · United States Congress · 2 April 1980
Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (formerly, the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare) to conduct a clinical investigation of the safety and efficacy of dimethyl sulfoxide as a drug to be used by persons with arthritis.
United States · United States Congress · 1 April 1980
Extends death benefit coverage under title I of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to include public safety officers who die as a result of a medical condition sustained while ingesting a poisonous substance or while subject to extreme physical stress, on a single occasion or during a single event, in the performance of duty.
United States · United States Congress · 1 April 1980
Proclaims October 19, 1981, a national day of celebration as the two hundredth anniversary of the victory of General George Washington at Yorktown, Virginia.
United States · United States Congress · 26 March 1980
Infant Formula Act of 1980 - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to set forth requirements for infant formulas. States that formulas which do not conform to such requirements shall be deemed to be adulterated. Permits the Secretary of Health and Human Services (formerly, the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare) to revise such requirements and establish quality control procedures. Requires each manufacturer of an infant formula to notify the Secretary whether the formula as processed meets such requirements and of any changes in such formula or its processing. Requires a processor who has information that any infant formula leaving his or her control may be adulterated or misbranded to promptly notify the Secretary. Sets forth reporting and recordkeeping requirements respecting the distribution of such formula as may be necessary to effect and monitor recalls. Directs the Secretary to prescribe the scope and extent of such recalls. Exempts infant formulas represented and labelled for use by infants having unusual medical or dietary problems from the specified nutrient requirements of such Act. Permits the Secretary to establish terms and conditions for the exemption of other infant formulas from such requirements. Grants an inspector enforcing the provisions of this Act access to specified records of the manufacturer at all times. Makes the failure to submit required reports or to provide required notice prohibited acts under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.
United States · United States Congress · 26 March 1980
Prohibits the Secretary of Energy from promulgating any Federal emergency energy conservation plan or other rule or regulation which would restrict or discriminate against recreational boating.
United States · United States Congress · 24 March 1980
Expresses the opposition of the House of Representatives to the action by the President imposing a fee on the importation of crude oil.
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 1980
Designates the week beginning February 1, 1981, as "National Scleroderma Week."
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 1980
Expresses the sense of the Congress that U.S. foreign policy should reflect a national strategy of peace through strength with specified principles and goals.
United States · United States Congress · 18 March 1980
Title I: Rail Passenger Corridors - Passenger Railroad Rebuilding Act of 1980 - Declares that it is the purpose of this title to provide for the development of high-speed intercity rail passenger service in corridors throughout the United States. Extends by at least four years the deadline under the Railroad Revitalization and Regulatory Reform Act of 1976 (the Act) for the establishment of specified rail passenger service between Boston and New York, and between New York and Washington, D.C. Adds as a new goal of the Act, the elimination of congestion in rail traffic at the Baltimore and Potomac Tunnel in Baltimore, Maryland. Increases from $1,600,000,000 to $2,322,000,000 the authorization of appropriations for the Boston-Washington, D.C. passenger service required by the Act. Directs the Secretary of Transportation to consult with the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, the Secretary of Commerce, and other Federal officials, to utilize Federal funds to assist and encourage public and private redevelopment in the vicinity of urban rail stations on the Northeast Corridor. Requires the Secretaries to report on such activities to the Congress within one year after the date of enactment of this Act. Authorizes the Secretary of Transportation to acquire any interest in real estate which the Secretary considers necessary to effectuate the goals of this Act. Authorizes the Secretary to enter into agreements with cost-sharing State, local, or regional transportation authorities, providing for the Secretary to carry out such improvements and require reimbursement by the cost-sharing parties. Authorizes the Secretary to transfer to the National Railroad Passenger Corporation excess real or personal property from the Northeast Corridor improvement project. Requires property so transferred to be subject to the mortgage entered into pursuant to the Act. Declares that it shall be a goal of the Corporation to manage its operating costs, pricing policies, and other factors so that, beginning at a specified time, annual revenues derived from the operation of intercity rail passenger service over the Northeast Corridor route between Washington, D.C., and Boston, Massachusetts, shall equal or exceed the annual operating costs of providing such service. Requires the Corporation, within a specified time, to submit to the President for transmission to the Congress a report on the success of the Corporation in meeting the goal of this Act. Directs the Secretary and the Corporation, within 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, to agree on the reallocation to the Corporation of authority and responsibility as regards the contracting of construction related to Northeast Corridor track improvements. Requires the Secretary, by a specified date, to transfer to the Corporation all authority and responsibility for carrying out the Northeast Corridor improvement project and implementing the goals of this Act. Amends the Rail Passenger Service Act to provide for $500,000 to be expended for the purchase of a self-propelled single car for 50 to 60 passengers for the purpose of demonstrating the feasibility of developing feeder service to basic system service and State subsidized service. Directs the Secretary, under such Act, to develop a method for evaluating 13 specified rail passenger corridors. Requires such evaluation method to determine which of such corridors: (1) have the greatest potential for attracting riders; (2) have the greatest potential for reducing energy consumption; and (3) are capable of providing the most cost-effective rail passenger service. Specifies factors that the Secretary shall consider in making such evaluation. Orders the Secretary, within 45 days after the date of enactment of this Act, to submit the proposed evaluation method to both Houses of Congress, and to specified Congressional Committees. Sets forth time limits and requirements for approval of the proposed evaluation method. Requires the Secretary to submit an annual report to the Congress evaluating the extension of certain rail passenger corridors and describing additional rail passenger corridors that are cost-effective and will attract riders. Directs the Secretary to use the method developed under this Act to evaluate the named corridors. Directs the Secretary to compile a ranking of such corridors and submit it to the Corporation. Directs the Corporation to develop design and engineering plans for those corridors which have the greatest potential to attract riders and reduce energy consumption, and which are capable of providing the most cost-effective rail passenger service. Requires the Corporation to submit, by February 15, 1981, a report to both Houses of Congress on each corridor for which a design and engineering plan has been developed. Prescribes certain information to be included in such report. Directs the Corporation, the Secretary, appropriate officials of each State in such corridors, and the rail carriers that own tracks and facilities to be used in providing passenger service, to cooperate with each other in preparing design and engineering plans under this Act. Authorizes the Corporation to apply to the Secretary for assistance in obtaining such cooperation from rail carriers. Excludes from such plans information with respect to station improvements. Directs the Corporation to acquire the necessary equipment for purposes of providing rail passenger service in corridors listed in this Act. Directs the Secretary to reimburse any State for ten percent of the amount such State expends for capital upgrading and design and engineering work in any corridor listed in this Act. Directs the Secretary to encourage the private sector development of potential rail passenger corridors. Sets forth measures to be taken by the Corporation to streamline private development of rail passenger corridors. Directs the Corporation, under certain conditions, to undertake improvements in service between corridors in order to maximize ridership. Directs the Corporation to identify restrictions imposed by a State or local government on the speed of Amtrak trains and to consult with such governments for purposes of evaluating alternatives to such restrictions. Authorizes the appropriation, out of certain funds in the Windfall Profit Tax Account, established by the Windfall Profit Tax Act of 1980, of: (1) up to $55,000,000 for fiscal year 1981 for development of design and engineering plans and for State reimbursements; (2) up to $50,000,000 for fiscal year 1981 for the acquisition of equipment; and (3) up to $850,000,000, to be available beginning with fiscal year 1982 for the implementation of specifically authorized corridor improvement projects. Authorizes the appropriation, out of funds available under the Railroad Revitalization and Regulatory Reform Act of 1976, of up to $200,000,000 for fiscal year 1981 for private sector development. Authorizes such amounts to remain available until expended. Directs the Consolidated Rail Corporation (ConRail) to make payments of benefits in accordance with the employee protection provisions of the Regional Rail Reorganization Act of 1973. Prohibits the United States Railway Association from withholding any funds from ConRail as a result of such payments. Title II: Rock Island Railroad Employee Assistance - Rock Island Railroad Employee Assistance Act - Provides for priority hiring of Rock Island Railroad employees by other railroads so long as it does not interfere with other carriers' equal employment obligations. Specifies that the rights afforded to Rock Island Railroad employees by this Act shall be coequal to the rights afforded to Chicago, Milwaukee, Saint Paul and Pacific Railroad Company employees under the Milwaukee Railroad Restructuring Act. Prescribes methods by which the Rock Island Railroad and labor organizations representing the employees of such railroad may enter into an agreement on labor protection for employees adversely affected as a result of a reduction in service by such railroad. Directs the parties, if they are unable to enter into an employee protection agreement within such period, to immediately submit the matter to the Interstate Commerce Commission. Requires that within 30 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Commission shall impose upon the parties an arrangement with respect to employee protection, unless the Rock Island Railroad and the authorized representatives of its employees have entered into a labor protection agreement. Directs the court having jurisdiction over the reorganization of the Rock Island Railroad to direct the Railroad's trustee and the labor organizations representing the employees of the Railroad, to implement any employee protection arrangement imposed by the Commission. Provides that any order of the Commission or of such reorganization court entered pursuant to such an agreement may not be stayed by the Commission or by any court and is appealable directly to an appropriate United States circuit court of appeals. Requires that such appeals shall be filed within five days after entry of the Commission's order, and that the court shall finally determine any such appeal within 60 days after it is filed. Prohibits any other court from reviewing such a determination by the court of appeals. Requires that employee benefit or allowance claims under such agreements be filed with the Railroad Retirement Board. Directs the Board to determine the amount for which an employee is eligible and to certify such amount to the Rock Island Railroad for payment. Amends the Railroad Retirement Act of 1974 to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services (formerly the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare) to make specified records available to the Board. Requires the Board to prepare lists of employees separated from employment to be made available on request to other rail carriers, and to maintain such lists through December 31, 1984. Allows an employee who elects to receive a separation allowance from the Rock Island Railroad under an employee protection agreement to receive from the Board reasonable expenses for training for new career opportunities. Sets forth eligibility requirements for such assistance. Prohibits any such assistance after April 1, 1984. Provides, generally, that an employee who receives assistance under an employee protection agreement or an arrangement entered into pursuant to this Act shall be deemed to waive any employee protection benefits otherwise available to such employee under the Bankruptcy Act or any other applicable contract or agreement. Amends the Milwaukee Railroad Restructuring Act to authorize the appropriation of $1,500,000 for new career training assistance beginning in fiscal year 1981. Authorizes the appropriation of $1,000,000 to the Board for fiscal year 1981 to cover administrative expenses. Directs the Secretary of Transportation to guarantee obligations, not to exceed $75,000,000, of the Rock Island Railroad for purposes of providing employee protection. Orders such obligations to be treated as administrative expenses of the estate of the Rock Island Railroad. Limits to $75,000,000 the aggregate unpaid principal amount of obligations which may be guaranteed by the Secretary. Limits to $75,000,000 the total liability of the Rock Island Railroad in connection with benefits and allowances provided under employee protection agreements or arrangements entered into under this Act. Directs the Commission to order directed service over any line of the Rock Island Railroad during a transportation emergency or during the pendency of an application for the purchase of such line. Orders the Secretary to make available $4,000,000 to the Commission for such directed service. Requires such funds to be made available out of funds appropriated to implement the Railroad Revitalization and Regulatory Reform Act of 1976 or such other previously appropriated funds as the Secretary deems appropriate. Directs the Commission to order directed service, for two years, over commuter lines of the Rock Island Railroad in operation on March 1, 1980. Orders that such commuter lines over which directed service is provided may not be abandoned, and service over such lines may not be discontinued, during the period of such directed service. Prohibits, for the 45 day period beginning on the date of enactment of this Act, any rail line or facility of the Rock Island Railroad which has been approved for abandonment by the Commission from being downgraded, scrapped, or otherwise disposed of without the approval of the Secretary. Directs the Secretary to grant such approval under certain conditions. Directs the Commission to give proceedings involving the Rock Island Railroad preference over other pending proceedings related to rail carriers, and to make all of its decisions at the earliest practicable time. Continues in effect for the duration of the temporary emergency operating authority with the carrier providing temporary emergency service substituting for the trustee, the terms of compensation for all trackage rights, joint facilities, and similar arrangements between other carriers and the trustee of the Rock Island Railroad, which are in effect on portions of specified lines of the Rock Island Railroad. Directs that such continuation shall not alter or affect the rights of other rail carriers nor prejudice the ultimate determination of any controversy or proceeding concerning certain rights of the parties. Amends Federal law as regards temporary operating approval granted to carriers substituting for carriers unable to transport traffic originally offered to them. Directs such amendments to apply to any application for approval of a transaction that is pending before the Commission on the date of the enactment of this Act or filed thereafter. Directs the Board to publish, within 45 days after the date of enactment of this Act, and make available for distribution by the Rock Island Railroad to all eligible employees, a document which describes in detail the rights of such employees.
United States · United States Congress · 17 March 1980
Amends the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 to prohibit the President from taking action, pursuant to the President's authority to adjust the imports of articles which threaten national security, to impose import fees on petroleum and petroleum products imported into the United States without specific authorization from Congress, effective March 1, 1980.
United States · United States Congress · 12 March 1980
Requires that each State establish and maintain an approved workfare program as a condition of its eligibility for Federal payments or other assistance under the: (1) program of aid to families with dependent children under the Social Security Act; (2) food stamp program under the Food Stamp Act of 1977; and (3) public housing and assisted housing programs under the United States Housing Act of 1937. Requires that such State workfare program shall require every State resident applying for or receiving aid under such Federal public assistance program to perform work in return for (and as a condition of his or her eligibility for) such aid. Directs the appropriate Federal agencies to promulgate guidelines for approval, supervision, and oversight of such State workfare programs. Exempts from required participation in such programs those who are: (1) under age 18 or over age 65; (2) disabled; (3) regularly employed for at least 40 hours a week; or (4) primarily responsible for the care of a child less than three years old (or for the care of a child more than two but less than six years old if suitable child care is not available at reasonable cost). Requires that each State workfare program must provide that if any individual who is required to participate in such program refuses to accept a bona fide offer of qualified employment or to perform qualified employment, in any month, neither such individual nor any other person in the family or household of which such individual is a member shall be eligible to receive any aid under such Federal public assistance programs for that month. Requires that State workfare programs include provision for job counseling, assistance in obtaining employment outside the program, and job search activities. Provides for: (1) Federal matching funds to cover administrative costs of such State programs; (2) Federal cut-offs of funds to State agencies for failure to comply with this Act; and (3) Federal agency reports to Congress on such State programs. Authorizes appropriations to carry out this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 11 March 1980
Designates the week beginning July 20, 1980, as "National Environmental Health Week."
United States · United States Congress · 11 March 1980
Expresses the sense of the Congress that it does not intend to take any action to authorize wage and price controls.
United States · United States Congress · 6 March 1980
Special Areas Soil Conservation Act of 1980 - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to formulate and implement a program for the conservation of soil, water, and related resources in special areas designated pursuant to this Act by providing technical and financial assistance to owners and operators of non-Federal agricultural land. Limits such assistance on State, county, and other non-Federal public land to those lands that are an integral part of a private farm operating unit and under the control of the private landowners or operators. Authorizes the Secretary to enter into contracts with such owners and operators to assist them to: (1) make changes in their cropping systems or land uses to conserve, protect, or properly utilize such resources of their agricultural and other lands necessary to protect agricultural lands; and (2) install the soil and water conservation treatment needed under such systems and uses. Requires such landowners and operators to furnish the Secretary a plan of conservation operations and land use developed in cooperation with and approved by the soil and water conservation district in which the lands are situated. Sets forth the terms to which landowners and owners must agree and in return for which the Secretary shall agree to share an appropriate portion of the costs of conservation treatment. Authorizes the Secretary: (1) to terminate or modify such contracts in the public interest; or (2) to enter into further contracts to maintain such treatment. Directs the Secretary to provide assistance to special areas described in this Act and to such additional special areas as the Secretary designates as having chronic soil, water, and related resources conservation problems. Directs the Secretary to develop and implement a plan for each designated special area, taking into consideration relevant Federal, State, and local programs. Allows such special areas to be designated during the ten years following the passage of this Act. Allows such contracts to be entered into during the ten years following the designation of the special area to which they relate. Limits such contracts to ten years in duration and to amounts not in excess of appropriations provided for such purpose. Directs the Secretary to: (1) submit special area plans to the appropriate committees of Congress; and (2) enter into such contracts only after such committees have passed resolutions approving the designated special areas described in such plans. Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) utilize specified services and facilities in carrying out this Act; (2) expend funds for research in developing new technology to control resource problems in designated areas; and (3) provide grants to States with designated areas to evaluate and analyze the impact of local and State taxes on the conservation treatment needed for an effective program. Authorizes appropriations to carry out this Act. Directs the Secretary to: (1) report to Congress annually for the first five years of the program; and (2) protect program participants from disqualifications, discrimination, eligibility reduction or forfeiture, or penalty under other agricultural programs for participating in the program authorized by this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 6 March 1980
Small Business Development Act of 1980 - Title I: Small Business Innovation - Amends the Small Business Act to require the head of each Federal agency which obligates over $100,000,000 for research and development in a fiscal year to: (1) expend at least one percent of the amount spent on research and development during the next year for a small business innovation program; (2) solicit research and development proposals from small businesses during the next year; and (3) promote the use of small businesses to conduct research and development. Requires the head of each Federal agency to increase the amount of funds obligated for the conduct of research and development by small businesses by one percent each year until the amount obligated to small businesses in a fiscal year equals at least ten percent of the total amount obligated by such agency for research and development. States that it is an objective of this Act to amend existing patent procedures in order to promote the marketing of inventions developed under federally supported research and development projects by nonprofit organizations and small business firms. Permits any such organization or firm to elect, within a reasonable amount of time, to retain title to such inventions. Permits Federal agencies which have supported such projects to retain title to inventions through their funding agreements in specified circumstances, including when necessary to conduct foreign intelligence or counterintelligence activities. Requires review of agency determinations that such circumstances exist by the Comptroller General and the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the Small Business Administration. Directs the Comptroller General to report to Congress on the implementation of this Act by Federal agencies. Enumerates provisions which must be included in funding agreements between a Federal agency and a small business firm or nonprofit organization, including provisions: (1) to insure the rights of the Federal Government under this Act; (2) to provide that the agency shall have a nonexclusive, nontransferable, irrevocable and paid-up license to use the invention; (3) to prohibit a nonprofit organization from assigning rights to the invention without the approval of the Federal agency; (4) to prohibit such an organization, other than small business firms, from granting exclusive rights from the earlier of five years from the first commercial use of the invention or eight years from the date of invention; and (5) to require such organizations to use their royalties and earnings to support scientific research or education. Provides that the first commercial use with respect to a product of the invention shall not end the exclusive period to different subsequent products covered by the invention. Requires the head of a Federal agency to approve provisions of a funding agreement which require the licensing to third parties of inventions owned by the contractor. Sets forth terms and conditions under which such approval may be granted. Authorizes a Federal agency to transfer or assign its rights, acquired from an agency employee as coinventor, to an inventor electing to acquire title to an invention. Empowers any Federal agency to require inventors or their assignees to grant licenses in order to: (1) achieve practical applications of the invention in its field of uses; (2) alleviate health or safety needs; (3) meet requirements for public use specified by Federal regulations; or (4) achieve participation by United States industry in the manufacturing of an invention. Entitles the government to 15 percent of all net income in excess of $70,000 gross income received by a contractor after a patent application is filed on a subject invention. Provides that if a contractor receives a gross income of $1,000,000, the government shall be entitled to a share of the excess of $1,000,000 that shall be negotiated but not to exceed five percent of such excess. Limits the government share of any excesses to its contributions under the funding agreement. Requires the Director of the Office of Federal Procurement Policy to revise the government entitlements in light of changes to the Consumer Price Index or other indices at least every three years. Declares such government entitlements applicable to subject inventions upon which United States patents are granted and in effect. Restricts the assignment and licensing of rights by patent holders to foreign-owned or controlled firms unless such persons agree that any products embodying the subject invention or produced through the use of the subject invention will be manufactured substantially in the United States where commercially feasible. Authorizes Federal agencies to withhold information on inventions from public disclosure. Specifies the authority of Federal agencies with respect to obtaining patents, granting licenses, and transferring custody of patents. Authorizes the Administrator of General Services to promulgate regulations specifying the terms upon which any federally-owned invention may be licensed. Sets forth the procedure whereby Federal agencies may grant exclusive or partially exclusive licenses in any invention covered by a federally-owned domestic patent or patent application. Prohibits licensing which lessens competition. Directs that business firms be given preference in exclusive or partially exclusive licensing. Enumerates provisions which must be contained in any grant of a license by a Federal agency. Declares that this Act shall take precedence over any other Act in the disposition of inventions. Title II: Depreciation Acceleration; Repeal of Used Property Limitation in Investment Tax Credit; Corporate Income Tax Rate Reductions - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to revise the method for determining useful lives of business assets for purposes of computing allowable depreciation deductions. Replaces the asset depreciation range (ADR) method with a schedule of capital cost recovery periods for three classes of business property. Establishes capital cost recovery periods for the following classes of business property: (1) buildings and their structural components, ten years; (2) tangible property, five years; and (3) automobiles, taxis, and light-duty trucks (up to $100,000), three years. Allows a ten percent investment tax credit for buildings and tangible property, and a six percent credit for automobiles, taxis, and light duty trucks. Requires the recapture of depreciation amounts and investment tax credit amounts applicable to assets which are sold or otherwise disposed of prior to the expiration of the capital cost recovery period. Permits a taxpayer to deduct less than the full allowance for capital cost recovery in any taxable year. Permits a carryover to succeeding taxable years of any unused depreciation amounts. Disqualifies capital cost recovery property from the allowance for first year depreciation. Treats amounts claimed as the capital cost recovery of noncorporate lessors as an item of tax preference for purposes of the minimum tax. Adopts as an accounting practice the "half year convention" under which investments eligible for capital cost recovery treatment or the investment tax credit which are made at any time during the taxable year are deemed to be made in the middle of such year. Repeals the $100,000 limitation on the amount of used property which is eligible for an investment tax credit. Reduces the tax rates applicable to corporate income. Repeal the carryover basis provisions enacted by the Tax Reform Act of 1976 which provide that beneficiaries receiving property from a decedent's estate will retain the decedent's basis in the property. Restores prior law which "stepped up" or "stepped down" the property"s basis to its market value at the time of death without imposing tax consequences on the appreciation or depreciation the property underwent while held by the decedent. Title III: Tax Incentives for Small Business Capital Formation - Provides for the nonrecognition of gain on the sale or exchange of an equity interest in a small business which is reinvested in another small business within two years. Defines a "small business" as any business entity in which the aggregate equity interests do not exceed $25,000,000. Allows a tax credit for proceeds received from small business debentures which have a fixed maturity and grant no conversion or voting rights. Limits the amount of such credit to $5,000 ($10,000 in the case of a joint return). Disallows such credit if the issuing small business has $1,000,000 of such debentures outstanding or has a class of securities subject to regulation of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Treats amounts paid on such debentures which represent a share of the issuer's earnings as long-term capital gain. Treats losses on such debentures as an ordinary loss. Requires distributions on such debentures, which represent either interest or a share of earnings, to be treated as interest. Title IV: Small Business Equal Access to Justice - Amends title II of the Small Business Act (Study of Small Business) to direct the Office of Advocacy within the Small Business Administration to assist the Attorney General, Federal agencies, and the Chairman of the Administrative Conference of the United States to facilitate relief afforded to small businesses under such Act. Requires the Chief Counsel for Advocacy to submit biennial reports to the President and Congress on awards made to small businesses under such Act. Excludes from the definition of "party" for purposes of this title: (1) an individual whose net worth exceeds $1,000,000; and (2) any partnership, corporation, association, organization, or sole owner of an unincorporated business whose net worth exceeds $5,000,000, but includes an agricultural cooperative, as defined in the Agricultural Marketing Act, regardless of its net worth. Entitles a prevailing party (other than the United States) to be awarded fees and other expenses, including attorney fees, which were incurred by such party in: (1) an administrative adjudication (excluding ratemaking and license application hearings, but including such actions as suspension or modification of a license); or (2) in any civil action, other than a tort, brought by or against the United States, unless the agency conducting such adjudication, or the court having jurisdiction of such action, finds that the position of the agency or the United States was substantially justified or that special circumstances make an award unjust. Allows the agency or the court to reduce any such award to the extent that the prevailing party unduly and unreasonably protracted the final resolution of the matter in controversy. Stipulates that such awards in administrative adjudication shall be paid by the particular agency over which the party prevails, but prohibits authorization of appropriations to such agency for the specific purpose of such payments. Authorizes a party dissatisfied with such award in an administrative adjudication to petition for leave to appeal the decision in an appropriate Federal court. Authorizes a court to award reasonable attorney fees to the prevailing party in any civil action brought by or against the United States or any agency, including the Post Office, or official of the United States acting in an official capacity, where the court may award such fees in such suits involving private parties (thus applying to Government litigation the common law and statutory exceptions to the "American rule" which requires parties to be responsible for their own attorney fees). Directs the Administrative Conference and the Administrative Office of the United States Courts to report annually on the amount of fees and expenses awarded during the preceding fiscal year in such agency adjudications and civil actions. Makes this title applicable to any civil action pending on, or commencing after, the date of enactment, except for civil tax actions, which shall be subject to this title six months after enactment. Directs the Office of the Chairman of the Administrative Conference and Director of the Administrative Office of the United States Courts to provide to the Small Business Office of Advocacy the information required to be collected in this title. Title V: Small Business Regulatory Flexibility - Amends the Small Business Act to require each Federal agency to publish semiannually an agenda of those rules which may be proposed during the upcoming six-month period affecting a substantial number of small businesses and small organizations. Permits Federal agencies to modify the definition of "small business", if appropriate, after notice and opportunity for hearing. Defines "small organizations" to include unincorporated businesses, sheltered workshops enterprises which are not dominant in their fields, and such other groups and enterprises as each Federal agency shall establish by rule, not in conflict with the definition of "small business." Requires each published agenda to be transmitted to the office of Advocacy of the Small Business Administration for comments. Directs each Federal agency to endeavor to provide notice of each agenda to affected small enterprises by means other than publication in the Federal Register. Directs each Federal agency to publish a written analysis prior to the issuance of any proposed rule affecting a substantial number of small businesses and organizations which considers: (1) the effect of such rule on small enterprises and competition; (2) whether an exemption could be provided such small enterprises; (3) whether lesser compliance standards could be adopted for small enterprises; and (4) the expected nature of reporting recordkeeping requirements necessitated by such rule. Requires each Federal agency to issue a rule containing an exemption or differing compliance standard for such small business concerns and organizations if it is lawful, desirable, and feasible to do so. States that such small enterprises shall be given an opportunity to participate in agency rulemaking, which substantially affects such enterprises, unless otherwise provided. Requires each agency to review its existing rules and prepare an analysis for purposes of eliminating or modifying those rules which are most burdensome to small businesses and organizations. Permits any agency to perform the analyses required by this title in conjunction with any other analysis required by law. Declares that such other analysis shall not in itself satisfy the requirements of this title. Title VI: Sunset Provisions - Requires the Congressional Budget Office in conjunction with the congressional committees having jurisdiction over each Government program, within one year after enactment of this Act, to set forth a timely review of all Government programs. Terminates any program which has not been reviewed within three years after enactment of this Act unless both Houses of Congress vote to continue such programs pending completion of a review. Requires that each review: (1) identify the need for the program; (2) identify conflicting or duplicative programs; (3) assess the program's effectiveness and cost; and (4) assess the impact of the program on the national economy.
United States · United States Congress · 6 March 1980
Designates July 18, 1980, as "National P.O.W.-M.I.A. Recognition Day."
United States · United States Congress · 6 March 1980
Designates the week beginning July 13, 1980, as "National Travel and Tourism Week."
United States · United States Congress · 4 March 1980
Rock Island Railroad Employee Assistance Act - Expresses Congressional findings regarding the provision of protection for the employees of the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad Company. Provides for priority hiring of Rock Island employees by other railroads so long as it does not interfere with other carriers' equal employment obligations. Specifies that the rights afforded to Rock Island Railroad employees by this Act shall be coequal to Chicago, Milwaukee, Saint Paul and Pacific Railroad Company employees under the Milwaukee Railroad Restructuring Act. Prescribes methods by which the Rock Island Railroad and labor organizations representing the employees of such railroad may enter into an agreement on labor protection for employees adversely affected as a result of a reduction in service by such railroad. Directs the parties, if unable to enter into an employee protection agreement within a specified period, to immediately submit the matter to the Interstate Commerce Commission. Requires that within 30 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Commission impose upon the parties an arrangement with respect to employee protection, unless the Rock Island Railroad and the authorized representatives of its employees have entered into a labor protection agreement. Provides that any order of the Commission entered pursuant to such an agreement may not be stayed by any court and is appealable directly to an appropriate United States circuit court of appeals. Requires that such appeal shall be filed within five days after entry of the Commission's order, and that the court shall finally determine any such appeal within 60 days after it is filed. Prohibits any other court from reviewing such a determination by the court of appeals. Directs the court having jurisdiction over the reorganization of the Rock Island Railroad to direct the Railroad's trustee and the labor organizations representing the employees of the Railroad, to implement any employee protection arrangement imposed by the Commission. Requires that employee benefit or allowance claims under such agreements be filed with the Railroad Retirement Board. Directs the Board to determine the amount for which an employee is eligible and to certify such amount to the Rock Island Railroad for payment. Directs that such payments be made from the assets of the Rock Island Railroad and treated as administrative expenses of the estate of the Rock Island Railroad. Amends the Railroad Retirement Act of 1974 to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services (formerly Health, Education, and Welfare) to make specified records available to the Board. Requires the Board to prepare lists of employees separated from employment to be made available on request to other rail carriers, and to maintain such lists through December 31, 1984. Allows an employee who elects to receive a separation allowance from the Rock Island Railroad under an employee protection agreement to receive from the Board reasonable expenses for training for new career opportunities. Sets forth eligibility requirements for such assistance. Prohibits any such assistance after April 1, 1984. Provides, generally, that an employee who receives assistance under an employee protection agreement or an arrangement entered into pursuant to this Act shall be deemed to waive any employee protection benefits otherwise available to such employee under the Bankruptcy Act or any other applicable contract or agreement. Authorizes appropriations for new career training assistance. Authorizes appropriations to the Board to cover administrative expenses. Directs the Secretary of Transportation to guarantee obligations, not to exceed $75,000,000, of the Rock Island Railroad for purposes of providing employee protection. Orders such obligations to be treated as administrative expenses of the estate of the Rock Island Railroad. Limits to $75,000,000 the aggregate unpaid principal amount of obligations which may be guaranteed by the Secretary. Limits to $75,000,000 the total liability of the Rock Island Railroad in connection with benefits and allowances provided under employee protection agreements or arrangements entered into under this Act. Exempts transactions under this Act from the provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act. Directs the Board to publish, within 45 days of this Act, and make available for distribution by the Rock Island Railroad to all eligible employees, a document which describes in detail the rights of such employees.
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 1980
Research Revitalization Act of 1980 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to permit a taxpayer engaged in a trade or business an income tax credit equal to 25 percent of the cash contributions made by such taxpayer to a reserve fund established to finance research or experimentation related to the taxpayer's business. Limits the total amount of such credit to five percent of the taxable business income of the taxpayer for the taxable year. Exempts such reserve fund from income taxation. Allows an income tax deduction for research expenses paid out of the reserve fund during the taxable year. Specifies that research financed pursuant to this Act shall be performed by an institution of higher education. Prescribes tax penalties for the use of funds from the research reserve for purposes other than research and experimentation.
United States · United States Congress · 25 February 1980
Swine Health Protection Act - Prohibits the feeding, or the permission to feed, of garbage to swine unless such garbage has been treated to kill disease organisms, in accordance with regulations issued by the Secretary of Agriculture, at a facility holding a valid permit issued by the Secretary (or the chief agricultural or animal health official of a State with an agreement with the Secretary). Exempts waste from ordinary household operations which is fed directly to swine on the same premises as the household from coverage as "garbage" under this Act. Requires persons operating a garbage-treatment facility who know such garbage is to be fed to swine to hold a valid permit issued under this Act. Provides for the issuance, suspension, and revocation of such permits. Requires that such facilities, to be issued such permits: (1) meet requirements prescribed by the Secretary to prevent the introduction or dissemination of any infectious or communicable disease of animals or poultry; and (2) be so constructed that swine are unable to enter the premises or have access to untreated garbage or material coming in contact with such garbage. Sets forth civil and criminal penalties for violations of this Act. Provides for general enforcement of this Act by the Attorney General, upon the request of the Secretary, in U.S. district courts. Provides for cooperative agreements with State agencies for coordination of enforcement, administration, and regulation under this Act and under State law. Specifies that nothing in this Act shall be construed to repeal or supercede any State law prohibiting the feeding of garbage to swine. Authorizes appropriations necessary to carry out this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 22 February 1980
Agricultural Protection Act of 1980 - Title I: Food Security Fund - Designates this title as the "Food Security Act of 1980." Declares it to be U.S. policy that: (1) adequate financial resources be placed at the President's disposal to meet urgent humanitarian needs for wheat in foreign nations and comply with international obligations to provide such assistance, within the framework of a market economy; and (2) governmental acquisition and perpetual maintenance of large additional stocks of a wheat reserve solely to provide for emergency food needs in developing countries would depress producer prices, destroy production incentives, disrupt markets, impair U.S. capacity to meet urgent humanitarian and foreign policy objectives, and require the expenditure of large sums of public money for the storage and handling of such wheat. Permits wheat to be acquired through purchases in the U.S. open market in such a manner as the Secretary of Agriculture determines will not unduly disrupt the market. Directs the Secretary to formulate and administer a program of purchasing, on a voluntary basis, wheat under the Agricultural Act of 1949 for donation for specified purposes. Authorizes the Secretary to utilize stocks of wheat acquired by the Commodity Credit Corporation, if such stocks are promptly replaced with wheat held in the producer storage program if such program wheat is not available in amounts and locations sufficient to meet the purposes of this Act. Sets forth such purposes as determined by the President: (1) to provide urgent humanitarian relief in any foreign country which suffers a major disaster as determined by the President and whose needs for relief cannot be satisfied in a timely manner under the Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act of 1954; (2) to assist any developing country to meet its food requirements at any time that the U.S. domestic supply of wheat is so limited that quantities cannot be made available under such Act; and (3) to fulfill any lawful international obligation. Provides that nothing in this Act shall be construed to limit the authority of the Secretary to make wheat available to eligible foreign nations under such Act. Authorizes the Secretary, upon determination of the President that wheat is needed for such purposes, to: (1) make all necessary arrangements for the purchase and disposition thereof; and (2) pay costs of processing, transportation, handling and other incidental costs to designated points abroad of wheat stocks acquired for such donation. Provides that wheat acquired under this Act: (1) may be processed in the U.S. and shipped in the form of wheat flour when conditions in the recipient country so require; and (2) shall not be subject to any quantitative limitations on export under specified provisions of the Export Administration Act of 1979. Directs the Secretary to utilize specified funds and authorities of the Commodity Credit Corporation in carrying out this Act. Authorizes the Corporation to be reimbursed for such funds. Title II: Isolation of Embargoed Grain - Directs the Commodity Credit Corporation to purchase and take title to and possession of all grain (as well as soybeans) the export of which to the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics was blocked by the President in retaliation for the invasion of Afghanistan. Prohibits the Corporation from selling or disposing such grain at a price or for value less than the equivalent of parity, except under specified conditions. Permits the Corporation to sell or dispose of such grain without regard for such restriction in quantities: (1) up to ten percent of the total embargoed amount of a particular commodity, during each market year, whenever the Secretary determines that the carryover at the end of a marketing year will be less than the average carryover for the three immediately preceding marketing years and that the sale or other disposition would not unduly depress the market price; (2) an additional ten percent in any market year if the Secretary determines the market price would not be unduly depressed and reports to the appropriate congressional committees 30 days prior to such disposal; and (3) as necessary to avoid spoilage or deterioration, provided that prompt replacement is made in appropriate cases. Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to set 125 percent of the then current level of price support for feed grains as the minimum market price which must be reached before certain producer storage program conditions come into effect which are designed to induce producers to redeem and market the feed grains securing loans under such program without regard to the maturity dates thereof. Sets 145 percent of the then current level of price support for feed grains as the minimum market price which must be reached before the Secretary may require producers to repay such loans, plus accrued interest thereon, refund amounts paid for storage, and pay such additional interest and other charges as may be required by regulation. Sets ten percent above such levels at which the Secretary may call for repayment of wheat or feed grains as one of the minimum levels at which the Commodity Credit Corporation must charge for any of its stocks of such commodities. Title III: Land Diversion Programs - Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to direct the Secretary to establish and announce, not later than March 1, 1980, a land diversion payment program for the 1980 crop of feed grains designed to divert 12,000,000 metric tons from production. Declares eligible for such payments a producer who devotes to approved conservation uses a minimum of ten percent of the cropland acreage planted or which would be planted to the 1980 feed grain crop of such producer. Sets forth a formula for determining the amount of such payment. Includes as a factor in such formula, a minimum payment rate for corn of $1.00 per bushel, and a payment rate for all other feed grains which the Secretary determines to be fair and reasonable in relation to the corn rate. Provides for a similar wheat diversion payment program for the 1980 crop of wheat, designed to divert 4,000,000 metric tons from production. Includes as a factor in determining payments under such program a minimum payment rate of $1.25 per bushel of wheat. Provides that, for the 1980 crop of wheat, the minimum payment rate shall be $0.50 per bushel under a special wheat acreage grazing and hay program. Title IV: Miscellaneous - Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949, effective with respect to the 1979 crop of corn, to authorize the Secretary to make available to any producer, who did not file a timely agreement to participate in the 1979 feed grain set-aside program, loans and purchases up to a total of $100,000 on corn produced in the 1979 crop year on the producer's acreage normally planted to designated crops. Exempts sales of corn for use in the production of alcohol for motor fuel, at facilities that began operation after January 4, 1980, and at prices not less than the prevailing market prices for corn in the normal marketing area of such facilities, from minimum sales price requirements for sales of Commodity Credit Corporation stocks of corn. Amends the Food and Agriculture Act of 1977 to direct the Secretary to set price support loan levels for agricultural commodities at 90 percent of the parity price whenever the President or any member of the executive branch suspends export sales to any country or area to which the U.S. otherwise continues commercial trade. Provides that, if such suspension is based on reasons of national security or foreign policy, the loan level may be set at not less than the average market price during the 30 days immediately preceding such suspension. Amends the Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act of 1954 to raise the minimum quantities of agricultural commodities required to be distributed: (1) for 1980 to 1,650,000 metric tons; and (2) for 1981 and each fiscal year thereafter to 1,800,000 metric tons. Lowers the minimum portion of such quantities which must be distributed through nonprofit voluntary agencies and the World Food Program for 1982 and each fiscal year thereafter to 1,350,000 metric tons.
United States · United States Congress · 19 February 1980
Declares February 26, 1980, as a national day of prayer, meditation, and unity if the hostages being held in Iran are not released by February 25, 1980.
United States · United States Congress · 11 February 1980
Amends the Clean Air Act to repeal the requirement that State implementation plans for meeting the national primary ambient air quality standard provide for periodic inspection and testing of motor vehicles, unless the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency establishes separate inspection and testing of each new motor vehicle before the vehicle is sold by the manufacturer.
United States · United States Congress · 7 February 1980
Amends the Clean Air Act to repeal the requirement that State implementation plans for meeting the national primary ambient air quality standard provide for periodic inspection and testing of motor vehicles.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 1980
Provides that Government life insurance shall be paid in accordance with any election of the insured. Stipulates that if at the time of death no such election has been made, the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs shall notify the beneficiary who shall elect whether to receive payment in a lump sum or in installments. Directs the Administrator to notify all insured individuals have not made such election concerning the effect of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 4 February 1980
Medical Expense Protection Act - Title I: Catastrophic Automatic Protection Plan - Adds a new title to the Social Security Act, Title XXI - Catastrophic Automatic Protection Plan. Establishes a voluntary insurance plan to provide automatic protection to families against catastrophic medical expenses, the Catastrophic Automatic Protection Plan (CAPP), to be funded by general revenues and coinsurance amounts. Provides that a family will be eligible for CAPP assistance for CAPP covered expenses after members of the family incur medical expenses equal to the deductible. Stipulates that eligibility is contingent upon the payment of specified coinsurance amounts. Provides that the deductible and coinsurance amounts shall be equal to approximately 10 to 20 percent of family income, graduated according to income. Provides that there shall be no coinsurance payments after a family has incurred expenses equal to the "CAPP stop-loss". Provides that the CAPP stop-loss for any year shall be equal to approximately 10 to 25 percent of family income, again graduated according to income. Sets forth provisions relating to applications for assistance under this Act. Requires any family filing for assistance under this Act to file an income statement with the Secretary of Health and Human Services. Permits civil penalties to be imposed for submission of an intentionally false statement. Provides that payments shall be made for 100 percent of covered CAPP medical expenses and services except that in the case of prescription drugs for chronic illness the payment rate shall be 75 percent. Provides that there shall be no coinsurance for such drugs. Provides that payments with respect to CAPP covered services which are described in title XVIII (Medicare) of the Act shall be made to providers, with specified exceptions, in the amount and in accordance with the procedures set forth in such title. Establishes the Catastrophic Automatic Protection Plan Trust Fund in the United States Treasury. Appropriates to the fund, out of any moneys in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, amounts necessary to make CAPP payments. Creates a Board of Trustees to hold the Fund, report to Congress concerning the Fund, and review policies allowed in managing the Fund. Directs the Secretary to provide for a listing of drug entities which may be legally introduced into interstate commerce with specified therapeutic categories. Provides that any individual dissatisfied with any determination relating to the individual's eligibility for or amount of CAPP benefits shall be entitled to a hearing concerning such determination and to judicial review of the Secretary's final decision. Sets forth definitions of terms used in this Act, including "CAPP covered services" which is defined as services furnished to an individual to the extent payment for such service may be made under the Medicare program, except that under CAPP: (1) inpatient psychiatric services shall be covered for 45 days in a calendar year; (2) items and services related to pregnancy, delivery, and care of a child through the first year are covered; (3) immunizations against serious communicable diseases are covered; and (4) prescription drugs for "chronic illness" are covered for an individual entitled to hospital insurance benefits under Medicare. Directs the Secretary to provide for an evaluation, by an entity outside the Department of Health and Human Services, of the implementation of this Act during its first five years and to report to Congress on the evaluation. Title II: Employer Health Plans - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from gross income, subject to stated conditions, amounts received by an employee through an accident or health plan towards which the employer contributed, only if the plan is a qualified plan. Subjects such exclusion to certain conditions, including: (1) the employer must make a contribution equal to at least 50 percent of the premium for the least expensive qualified plan; (2) requiring the employer to pay the employee a monthly rebate if the employee is offered more than one qualified plan and the employer contribution for the plan the employee selects would be greater than the premium of a low option plan, or the employee elects to participate in no qualified plan and is otherwise covered by a qualified plan; and (3) that the employer contribution for any employee for a family plan shall not exceed $120 per month. Defines terms including, among others, "qualified health plan." Defines such plan as a plan of an employer providing medical care for employees and their families which the Secretary certifies as meeting certain requirements, including the provision of CAPP covered services after the employee has incurred out-of-pocket expenses in excess of $2,500. Prohibits an income tax deduction for contributions by an employer to a health plan for compensation to his or her employees for sickness, unless the employer offers a qualified plan. Limits the income tax deduction for medical and dental expenses to an individual: (1) who is blind or disabled as determined under title XVI (Supplemental Security Income) of the Act or is receiving Medicare benefits because of end-stage renal disease; or (2) for care while a resident of a long-term care facility or of an institution for the care, rehabilitation or training of the physically or mentally handicapped. Provides for a deduction, not to exceed $250, for one-half of the premiums for a qualified health plan. Title III: Medicare Amendments - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to remove the time limitation on inpatient hospital care. Makes individuals entitled to benefits under part A (Hospital Insurance) of title XVIII of the Act eligible for certain benefits under CAPP. Eliminates coinsurance under part A. Provides that any charge for any service or procedure performed by a doctor shall be reasonable if: (1) the service or procedure is performed in a designated physician shortage area; (2) the physician has a regular practice in the shortage area; (3) the charge does not exceed the prevailing charge level as otherwise determined; and (4) the charge does not exceed the amount generally charged by such physician for similar services. Permits entities utilized for administering the Medicare program to be utilized for administering CAPP. Title IV: Studies and Miscellaneous Provisions - Directs the Secretary: (1) to provide for studies of, and demonstration projects with respect to, the desirability and feasibility of adding a long-term care program into the Medicare program or CAPP and to report to Congress the results of the studies and projects; (2) to conduct a study of the feasibility of, and options with respect to, consolidating title XIX (Medicaid) of the Act into CAPP or other programs and to report to Congress concerning such study; and (3) to conduct a study of the feasibility of promoting better efficiency and effectiveness in the Medicare and Medicaid programs by permitting those eligible under such programs the option of receiving benefits through competitive private plans to report to Congress concerning such study. Requires the Secretary to reduce Medicaid payments to a State if the State reduces the number of categories of individuals eligible for benefits or the amount of benefits provided under: (1) title V (Maternal and Child Health), XIX, or XX (Grants to States for Services) of the Act; or (2) any program providing benefits similar to those under title XXI, and such reduction results in an increase in the amount of payments that would otherwise be made under such title. Amends the Federal Trade Commission Act to consider it an unfair trade practice for any entity to advertise that any amounts paid to an individual represents reimbursement for the deductible under CAPP.
United States · United States Congress · 31 January 1980
Establishes a Commission on More Effective Government to study and recommend ways of promoting economy, efficiency, and improved service within the Federal Government. Directs the Commission to recommend methods to improve the relationship between Federal, State, and local governments. Provides for the appointment of members of the Commission by the President, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the President pro tempore of the Senate. Sets forth provisions governing the organization and compensation of the Commission and its staff. Empowers the Commission to establish advisory councils and committees as it deems appropriate without regard to the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act. Sets forth the powers of the Commission enabling it to gather information free from subsequent review or comment by any Federal agency. Directs the Commission to submit its final report to the Congress ten days after the Ninety-eighth Congress convenes. Terminates the Commission 90 days after such date. Authorizes the appropriation of funds necessary to carry out this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 30 January 1980
Expresses appreciation to Canada for: (1) its historic close relations and cooperation with the United States in conducting foreign policy; (2) its support for U.S. efforts to obtain the safe release of the hostages in Iran; and (3) its efforts to protect and arrange the safe departure of certain U.S. citizens from Iran.
United States · United States Congress · 28 January 1980
Fusion Energy Research, Development, and Demonstration Act of 1980 - Directs the Secretary of Energy to establish research, development, and demonstration programs involving magnetic fusion energy systems to: (1) construct and operate a fusion engineering test facility by 1986; (2) construct and operate a magnetic fusion demonstration facility before the end of this century; (3) maintain and expand the base programs for fusion energy research and the development and testing of appropriate alternative confinement technologies; (4) maintain a strong research and development program in advanced fusion fuels; and (5) ensure an uninterrupted source of scientific and engineering talent from institutions of higher learning to support such effort. Requires such programs to include a study of the potential of using fusion energy for the production of synthetic fuels and the electrification of ground transportation systems. Directs the Secretary to disseminate information promoting the practical uses of fusion energy.